Intense Heatwave Causes Desperation in Gaza and Melancholy Spirits in Tel Aviv
In the heart of Tel Aviv, a weekly gathering has been taking place in Hostages Square, where tens of thousands of Israeli citizens have been rallying in hopes of influencing government decisions regarding the ongoing crisis in Gaza City. The protests have been sparked by various factors, including Hamas's publication of propaganda videos showing two hostages starving in captivity and Benjamin Netanyahu's decision to take full security control of the Gaza Strip.
Riham Akel, a resident of Gaza City, is one of the many Palestinians suffering greatly due to the lack of basic necessities. Living in a tent made of cloth and plastic that does not protect her from the heat, Riham endures days without electricity, drinking water, water for washing, fans, or air conditioning. The current situation in Gaza is a heatwave, which is exacerbating existing problems such as minimal water, food, and basic necessities for survival.
The ongoing conflict in Gaza has displaced over 1.9 million Palestinians across the region, with many forced into extremely small, unsafe areas representing less than 14% of the territory. The displaced lack adequate access to basic necessities such as sufficient food, clean water, medical care, and shelter, with the entire population facing crisis-level food insecurity and at least half a million at risk of starvation.
Thousands of Palestinians have been wounded or killed attempting to access food distribution points, and large numbers face injuries related to the conflict as well as dangers in overcrowded aid sites. The ongoing conflict, with over 60,000 Palestinians killed and 144,000 injured since October 2023, has devastated Gaza’s infrastructure, making humanitarian aid delivery hazardous and unreliable due to Israeli military operations and restrictions on movement and supplies.
Despite the international criticism, opposition from his military leadership, and weekly protests in Hostages Square, Benjamin Netanyahu continues with his plans for the operation in Gaza. Some, like David Solomon, believe that Netanyahu's plan is an attempt to undermine Israeli democracy and destroy the country. Gilad Melzer, holding a sign saying "Stop Genocide" with a photo of a starving child, believes that the Israeli public is intentionally ignorant about the situation in Gaza.
However, the Israeli government appears to be ignoring the protests in Hostages Square, with many citizens expressing their dissatisfaction with Netanyahu's plan to take over Gaza City. Yael, a concerned citizen, stated that she feels like a hostage in her own country, and 80% of the citizens do not want Netanyahu's plan anymore. There are even calls for IDF soldiers to refuse to carry out Netanyahu's plan to take over Gaza City.
As the situation in Gaza City continues to deteriorate, humanitarian agencies warn that a potential expansion of Israeli ground operations there could push thousands of already vulnerable families beyond endurance, worsening shortages and civilian suffering. Medical evacuations are ongoing but insufficient given the scale of need; over 14,800 patients still require lifesaving medical care unavailable locally.
In this critical moment, the future of Gaza City hangs in the balance, with displaced populations facing overwhelmingly harsh conditions marked by extreme food insecurity, limited water, shelter and medical access, and escalating dangers from conflict and environmental stress such as the heatwave. Humanitarian access remains restricted and unpredictable amidst military operations, making the situation increasingly precarious for civilians.
References:
- UN OCHA, "Gaza Crisis: Fact Sheet No. 11," 2025.
- Amnesty International, "Israel/Gaza: Massive civilian suffering as a result of Israel's military operations," 2025.
- Human Rights Watch, "Israel/Gaza: Unlawful Attacks on Civilians and Civilian Objects," 2025.
- International Committee of the Red Cross, "Gaza: Humanitarian Situation Worsens Amidst Escalating Conflict," 2025.
- The ongoing war-and-conflicts in Gaza, particularly the recent escalation, have led to a politically charged atmosphere in Israel, with weekly protests in Hostages Square calling for a different approach to the crisis in Gaza City.
- The implications of the ongoing conflict in Gaza are vast and far-reaching, impacting general news headlines not only in the Middle East but globally, as the suffering of its displaced population continues, with many at risk of starvation due to crisis-level food insecurity.
